CVE-2021-29369Network attack vector

Remote code execution via shell metacharacters

Published May 3, 2021 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

The gnuplot package for Node.js before 0.1.0 allows remote attackers to execute code via shell metacharacters in Gnuplot commands. The plot() function accepted a caller-controlled filename and passed shell metacharacters into command execution; the fixing commit validates filenames before invoking plotting. Exploitation requires an application that exposes filename or command inputs to an attacker, and successful execution runs with that application's privileges.

CVSS severity9.8
Critical
EPSS probability1.78%
Next 30 days · Sep 17, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

The gnuplot package for Node.js before 0.1.0 allows remote attackers to execute code via shell metacharacters in Gnuplot commands. The plot() function accepted a caller-controlled filename and passed shell metacharacters into command execution; the fixing commit validates filenames before invoking plotting. Exploitation requires an application that exposes filename or command inputs to an attacker, and successful execution runs with that application's privileges.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-29369
Published
May 3, 2021
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-78, T1059
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. May 3, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 3, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Affected buildAffected product and version details are unavailable.

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

9.8NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.5NVDAV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-78Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')
T1059Command and Scripting Interpreter

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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